Teeth Whitening Options Available to You

March 11, 2014

Did you know that teeth whitening procedures are going to the Supreme Court? This Monday, the highest court in the country agreed to hear a challenge regarding teeth whitening procedures. The FTC is claiming the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners was engaging in unfair competition by forcing spas and tanning booths in the state to shut down their teeth-whitening services. The board claims the FTC is overstepping their authority.Teeth Whitening Home Remedies

True, you won’t get the professional “brilliant white” shade a dentist could provide from home remedies. However, there are a few things you can do to help keep your teeth from staining. Always brushing your teeth after ingesting coffee and soda, for example, can help reduce yellowing.

Eat foods like cheese, celery and strawberries. These foods are naturally mildly abrasive and can help cut down on plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth.

There are many teeth whitening toothpastes and products that use baking soda, which is both powerful and low-risk to use on your teeth. Limit your use of it, though, to no more than once or twice a week if it isn’t part of a safe-formula toothpaste.

Facts About Professional Teeth Whitening Procedures

When you get your teeth bleached at the dentist, they will use a carbamide peroxide solution of anywhere from 10% to 40%, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when used on your teeth. They will also apply a protective layer to your gums to prevent chemical burns.

Some dentists use lights to accelerate the bleaching process and reduce the amount of time of the procedure — allowing treatments to take place in 30 minutes to an hour.

Teeth whitening prices are reasonable, especially compared to many other cosmetic procedures, and usually average in at about $200 per session. Cheap teeth whitening can be a way to lift your smile without spending an arm and a leg.

Do teeth whitening prices seem worth it to you? Let us know in the comments.

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